Mariel
Zagunis

Fencing

Event: Saber Height: 5'8"Birthplace: Portland, Ore.Education: Anthropology major at Notre Dame University. Graduate of Valley Catholic High SchoolCoach: Ed KorfantyHobbies: Cooking, playing tennis and soccer, relaxing bike rides and anything that has to do with the outdoors, including volunteering in environmental preservation activities.Web Site: www.marielzagunis.comFacebook:www.facebook.com/MarielZagunis

Honors:

Most decorated fencer in the history of USA Fencing

Inducted into FIE Hall of Fame in 2013

2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2005 FIE Senior World Cup Champion

2004, 2003 and 2002 FIE Junior World Cup Champion

2012 U.S. Olympic Team

Youngest U.S. fencer to win a gold medal at a Senior World Championships (age 15 in 2000)

Personal: Zagunis made history as a 19‐year‐old in 2004 when she became the first U.S.
fencer to win an Olympic gold medal in 100 years after originally qualifying for the team
as a replacement athlete. She is also in the history books as the first Olympic gold medalist for women's saber, which made its Olympic debut at the 2004 Olympic Games. The four‐time Senior World Champion defended her Olympic title in Beijing. The daughter of Robert and Cathy Zagunis who were both rowers on the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team, Mariel was the top-ranked fencer in the world at the conclusion of the 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.

An all-around athlete who still enjoys playing tennis in her spare time, Mariel competed on her high school's varsity soccer team for three years and began her career as a Notre Dame fencer just weeks after winning gold at the 2004 Olympic Games. After winning the 2006 NCAA Individual Championship in 2006, Zagunis took time off from school to focus on preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Mariel says that her parents are her role models as "they have been through so much [good and bad] in their lives and have dedicated so much to their children that has enabled us to achieve greatness on many different levels. They have made me the person I am today and I never could have learned so much about life or how to work as hard as I do from any other two people. Through them I have been able to grow and understand what is truly important in life and how to reach any goal I set for myself. No matter how daunting a task may be, I know my family will always be there to support me and help me through it."